The Athenian government consists of a Democratic government. In theory, a Democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Taken from that theory of the Athenian Democracy, the “people” referred to men over the age of 18 who were born from Athenian parents. Men ruled the government, where they were able to vote and make political decisions regarding the country. Women, foreigners and slaves were not allowed to participate in the government at all.…
The Founders of the United States, in their lists of dependable and confident political philosophers, frequently included Aristotle. Some of the Founders, especially, John Adams and James Wilson, often refer to Aristotle and show an admiration for his Politics. By the “rule of law”, Adams and the Founders did not comprehend the simple consistency or predictability of law and procedure (Pakaluk, Michael). He was recognized as the original source for many policies, mostly declared by the Founders. Some of which include: “1.…
The Best Government According to Waterman Lecture Notes, (1-3), Aristotle felt that the best government was the monarchy, a political system in which a state is ruled by a monarch, especially a king or queen, (governed by one)and by hereditary rights, followed by the aristocracy (governed by few) , people of the highest social or people of noble families or the highest social class, and that these type or class of people are the very best person or people, would most justly and effectively rule the society. Aristotle believed that almost all of the virtues relate to how we live with one another. We need other people to be generous or courageous towards (Waterman Lecture Notes1-3). According to Roochnik (220), Aristotle base his political science on a belief “that the city-state is the overarching organization of a variety of smaller organizations such as the family, the household, and the village in the city –state”, three levels; “Protection – From both natural forces and human and animal predators, Economic Cooperation – We benefit from skilled people learning various trades so everyone doesn’t have to do everything for oneself and, Ability to Live and…
In this essay I argue that Socrates would most likely choose to support the philosopher candidate to be the next president because he would consider the other two candidates unfit to rule. The reason that Socrates would much sooner support the philosopher candidate is that one of the most pertinent conclusions he reaches in The Republic is that only true philosophers are fit to rule a government. I also believe he would side with the philosopher because the prompt particularly states that this candidate has access to the eternal truths of existence because he has a full understanding of the nature of reality (180). Since this philosopher turns out to be a true philosopher instead of a “lover of sights and sounds” who are the pseudo-philosophers…
Democracy is governed by majority of the poor class's wants/needs. One form of democracy that was mentioned is the constructed based on equality where no one has an advantage on another person. Aristotle emphasizes the importance of a government that will help prevent injustice and that is practical to society. He also sheds light on the fact that everyone is different and the government needs to fulfill the different needs. For example, someone with a disability needs more assistance than a person without a disability.…
Ancient Greece was the very first democracy in history, and their beliefs in Freedom and Liberty for their citizens. The two types of freedoms were political (Governed by their own laws), and individual (do what we want). Freedom is the Central theme associated with democracy. After Greece’s downfall, democracy was not known again till the American Revolution. History is made by Great People.…
Pain and Gain: The Relationship between the Philosopher and the City In 1920, Warren G. Harding won the presidential election with the slogan “Return to Normalcy” (“Presidential Campaign Slogans” 1). Although referring to returning to the life style before the horrid World War I, Harding’s campaign highlights an interesting point: People resist change. In the Apology of Socrates, Socrates strongly challenges the city through philosophy, but in Crito, he submits to the laws of the city because it is ultimately the just thing to do. Because Socrates challenges the laws, he is sentenced to death, so it is not easy for Socrates to be a philosopher. In addition, Athens has a difficult reaction to philosophy.…
In classical Greece, the different Greek city-states had different forms of government. The city-state of Sparta had an authoritarian government in which it enforced military participation for all males and only the elite class could gain power in the government. Athens on the other hand had a democratic government that allowed everyone to be able to participate in its government despite class standing and did not put their focus on defending the city. The totalitarian government that Sparta had caused life for the people living there to be unpleasant and difficult while the democratic government in Athens gave much more freedom to its citizens and resulted in the people their having a much more pleasant life. Sparta, during the…
The six goals in the pre-amble are establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote general welfare, secure the blessings of liberty, and form a more perfect union. Locke would agree with the goal to provide for the common defense, he thought that the government should protect the people’s rights, our government did this by creating armies and navies to look over the country. Locke would also be a connection to promoting general welfare, and commonwealth, he finds the health of citizens to be an important protection from the government. Montesquieu believed in the government protecting the liberty of the people, he also came up with the three branches of government that the founding fathers eventually…
Sevastia Moundros Philospohy 110 DLC Why then: Socrates was an important historical figure as a Greek philosopher, he lived between 470-399 B.C. Socrates was disliked by many people but also had many followers. He had a profound influence on Western philosophy along with his students. He was a huge questioner of everything and everyone. He had a distinct style of teaching, he asked question after question, so his students can come to their own understandings. Socrates was eventually accused of corrupting the youth and sentenced to death by drinking a poisonous cup of hemlock.…
Cassondra Britton A Modern Day Socrates: Bob Ross Socrates was a classical Greek philosopher who is considered one of the founders of Western philosophy. A man who was too progressive for his time, Socrates’ radical ideas, such as the rejection of materialistic society, challenged those whose wealth shielded them from the masses. This progressive man defied common beliefs, and confronted those who held those beliefs. An unexpected teacher of many, Socrates was a visionary whose ideas challenged the status quo and social structure of society.…
Introduction: Over the course of human history there have been a number of highly influential philosophers who have helped shape modern political science. Yet, few can claim to have made as large of an impact on political theory as Plato and his seminal work The Republic. The book takes the form of a dialogue between Socrates and a variety of different individuals, and touches upon a number of subjects, such as the nature of justice, and debating whether the just or unjust man is happier. Despite having put forward a wide collection of arguments, The Republic, and in many ways Plato himself, has had their philosophical legacy defined by the Allegory of the Cave in Book VII.…
Whereas Aristotle’s view is in coherence with what todays politics and citizenry should be. I believe that in order to lead a city or represent a constitution, one does not have to be overly qualified in virtuosities such as money or power. He just need to possess the aptitude to lead through his/her education. We see world markets and countries politics being ruined by powerful oligarchies like in China, Russia and even here in the United States. We now have a leader who is widely feared to take away or exploit all that Aristotle stands for.…
To begin, Aristotle defines and contrasts both practical and theoretical wisdom. Practical wisdom is defined by Aristotle as being, “a truthful rational characteristic of acting in matters involving what is good for man” (Aristotle Ethics, pg. 154). In other words, practical wisdom is concerned with deciding what a good course of action for man is. On the other hand about theoretical wisdom, Aristotle writes, “a wise man must not only know what follows from fundamental principles, but he must also have true knowledge of the fundamental principles themselves. Accordingly, theoretical wisdom must comprise both intelligence and scientific knowledge”(Aristotle Ethics, pg. 156).…
The Archaic Period of Greece refers to the period of time between 800-500 BC, and is one of the five periods that Ancient Greek history can be divided into. A particular aspect of life which played a significant role in Archaic Greek society is politics and the political structure held during the Archaic Period. Politics was a major influencer of Archaic Greek society, making it an aspect in which individuals of Archaic Greece where engaged in their everyday life. The Archaic period saw the advancements and changes in the political system, particularly with the introduction of laws into society by influential lawgivers, Draco and Solon. These laws influenced the members of Archaic Greek society in the manner they lived and participated in everyday…